Faced with shifting geopolitics, supply chain changes, and technological disruption, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is celebrating its 60th anniversary by implementing two major optimisations to enhance efficiency and tap new markets. Chairman Professor Frederick Ma announced the initiatives, which include a corporate restructuring based on industry clusters and a reconfiguration of global resources to focus on high-growth emerging markets such as Central Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa.
"I am pleased to lead the HKTDC to embark on a new chapter as we celebrate our 60th anniversary. These two optimisations reflect our forward-looking and innovative approach in responding proactively to future challenges and opportunities," Ma said.
The first optimisation involves reorganising the HKTDC's services into six sector clusters: Finance and Professional Services; Global Network and Supply Chain; Technology and Digital Innovation; Wellness and Creative Industries; Consumer Goods and Lifestyle; and Corporate Development. This cluster approach is designed to enhance operational efficiency and sector knowledge, enabling the council to provide comprehensive, integrated solutions through a single point of contact. Executive Director Sophia Chong said the structure facilitates synergy among teams, helping companies with market intelligence, exhibitions, conferences, investor matching, and market expansion.
The second optimisation focuses on reallocating resources to capture opportunities in high-growth markets. The HKTDC currently operates 51 offices worldwide but will enhance its presence in emerging regions. Specifically, it will strengthen its consultant office in Almaty, Kazakhstan, to support Central Asia; bolster its office in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; and open a new consultant office in Cairo, Egypt, to extend its African reach. In Latin America, the council will strengthen capabilities in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and Santiago, Chile, which will also oversee Peru. Within ASEAN, it will ramp up promotional work in Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia, and the Philippines, while enhancing capabilities in Istanbul and Warsaw.
Professor Ma noted that the Chief Executive's successful mission to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in June opened doors for Hong Kong enterprises, generating potential opportunities the HKTDC will follow up on. Regarding traditional markets, the council will maintain two-way trade and investment with North America, encouraging U.S. and Canadian companies to participate in HKTDC activities. The London office will expand its responsibilities to oversee Nordic markets.
Looking ahead, the HKTDC aims to leverage Hong Kong's role as a superconnector and super value-adder, supporting Chinese Mainland enterprises in going global and encouraging international companies to use Hong Kong as a base for expansion. More information is available at the HKTDC's 60th anniversary website.
